Vitamin responsive conditions in paediatric neurology: Edited by Baxter P. 181 pp, illustrated. London, Mac Keith Press, for the International Review of Child Neurology Series, 2001. ISBN 1-898683-13-1. $75.00

This volume is nicely done on reasonable-quality paper with a crisp readable type and generally understandable and informative figures and tables. The text is clearly written and easily readable, with few typographic errors and editorial oversights. The text consists of 10 chapters covering the most important conditions that are of interest to child neurologists and in which vitamin deficiency or vitamin therapy may play a role. The topics include biotinidase deficiency, neural tube defects, folic acid– and folinic acid–responsive disorders, vitamin treatment of mitochondrial cytopathies and various vitamin-responsive convulsive disorders, and a discussion of the association of vitamin and minerals with autism.

The chapters were consistently evenhanded in their presentation of the available data regarding the conditions discussed. The chapters are well referenced so that one can easily find the literature to expand or confirm the details of the material presented in the text. In most instances when good data are unavailable, that fact is clearly noted. An example is the description in chapter 3 of the response to vitamin or mineral supplementation of children with autism.

The final chapter represents an overview of the clinical presentations of the various vitamin-related neurologic disorders in pediatric neurology and includes such clinical pearls as the value of pyridoxine in the treatment of neonatal tetanus. Unfortunately, for this reader, there is still a bewildering array of possible vitamin-related conditions that must be considered in the differential diagnosis of relatively common clinical problems such as ataxia, learning disabilities, or autism. I was still unable to develop an efficient stepwise algorithm to use in approaching these patients to ensure that I do not overlook those who would benefit from vitamin therapy. This problem is not the fault of the editor or the authors but is more a reflection of the state of our knowledge and understanding of this group of conditions.

The ultimate test of a volume like this is the way it is used by the readership. If the book is kept in a place where it can be referred to frequently if not daily, the information is presented in a way that the physician finds useful, the book is successful! However, if the volume is put on a shelf where it completes “the set” of volumes in the series but is not taken off the shelf and referred to, the book is not a success. This volume provides valuable information regarding this difficult group of conditions. I will place this book where I can refer to it frequently to refresh my memory about many of the topics and have a source of references so that I can read further about the chosen topic if necessary. In short, I believe this book will be a success.